WFFC '03 Ride Help

[jfields 0]

Hey folks.

I'm looking for a ride from an airport to the WFFC and back. I'd like to fly into whatever airport late night on Tuesday, August 5 and leave late on Sunday August 10. That would give me the the most jumping time for the amount of leave days I have.

I could fly into Chicago, Bloomington, or wherever the flights are reasonable. Chicago is by far the cheapest, but supposedly a little farther away. I'd be flexible if a local could drive, or another jumper is coming in for those same days.

So far, I've had a couple people "absolutely, positively" commit, then back out. It seems kind of silly for me to fly in and rent a car, just to have it sit there for the whole convention. I could use that money for lift tickets.

Does anyone else plan to arrive and leave on those same days? I'd be happy to split some transportation costs or such. Considering that I'll have to make plane reservations pretty soon, only let me know if you really, really, positively can do this. I'd hate to get hosed with tickets somewhere and no ride from there to the convention.

Thanks!

[PhreeZone 20]

Champain (sp) is only like 15 minutes away. There are a lot of people coming through Champain and I believe a DZ.commer or two that are planning on staying there for the week. Check there since you can see Champain from Jumprun at WFFC

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[jfields 0]

Phree,

I know Champaign is close, but from what I've seen so far, it is also several hundred dollars more in airfare.

I'm trying to hold the cost down to keep the money for jump tickets. I'd also pitch in on costs and help someone else save some money too.

Lots of people have said it won't be a problem to get a ride, but I can't wait until the week before the convention to make my plans. I really need to get things set up so I can get my plane tickets.

[DaGimp 0]

i will be driving up so i will have my car....let me know im game if you need a ride.

"Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas

[DaGimp 0]

dont know area to well though

"Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas

[sunshine 2]

In the middle of the week like that chicago may be difficult to get a ride from. It's about 3 hours away from Rantoul. Bloomington is about an hour away.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[jfields 0]

How do you think Champaign would be? Easier? It looks like $120 difference in roundtrip airfare between going in there and Chicago.

Gimme a ride? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[sunshine 2]

Flying into champaign will save you a lot of hassle. You'll have to decide if it's worth the extra money.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[jfields 0]

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Flying into champaign will save you a lot of hassle. You'll have to decide if it's worth the extra money.

If I fly there, will you pick me up? You're a hell of a lot cuter than Phree.

[Jessica 0]

$120 is nothing. I'm going to have to pay $220+ more than a ticket to Chicago if I want to fly into Champaign. $120 is 6.5 jumps fewer. Fly into Champaign, fool!

Skydiving is for cool people only

[sunshine 2]

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If I fly there, will you pick me up? You're a hell of a lot cuter than Phree.

After last year, i'm prolly banned from driving during WFFC. With champaign so close, there will be no trouble catching a ride. I'll even flash someone if he'll go pick you up for me.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[Stacy 0]

last year my rides got to the convention and forgot about me at champaign. i waited for about an hour and then found out there is a shuttle that runs from the convention to the airport if you call it. it was like 25$ the info is inside the airport near baggage claim.

also champaign airport doesn't seem to have many late evening flights if i'm not mistaken. i had to fly the next day, got in about noon. no worries though. it's a small airport and easy to find people in that you are meeting up with.

[WFFC 1]

Try cross posting this on the freefall message board. Another route is to catch Amtrak to Rantoul and have someone come pick you up from there...
Check the Amtrak schedule before you book your flights.
I don't know Midway to the Amtrak station downtown Chitown, but O'Hare to Amtrack station is about 60 minutes once the 'L' leaves the airport.

[Snowwhite 0]

Michael has some good ideas for you. Another one is that Greyhound runs to Rantoul (CHEAP), and there are a couple of additional shuttles that will be available. ( I think one is called Lincolnland) running from Chicago to Rantoul. Watch the 'travel' section of the www.freefall.com site, and I will post updates as soon as I have them, or email me a little closer to the dates, and I will see if I can hook you up.

skydiveTaylorville.org
freefallbeth@yahoo.com

[jfields 0]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. It seems like I'll probably book my ticket into Champaign. It should be easier to bum rides to and from there. The difference in price is probably worth the convenience.

A little closer to the convention, I'll collect phone numbers and try to nail down someone specific for the job.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Justin, I good not let down my namesake. If you fly into Champaign, I will have no problem picking you up.

Justin

[jfields 0]

Schweeeet!

We could plan the Justin-way while driving in the Justin-mobile.

Thanks, Justin!

[SkyDekker 1,465]

no problem.

The Justin-Way World Record will be set this year!!!!!

[jfields 0]

Well, I chopped off a day as a small concession to my wife, but I am definitely going. I booked my tickets today. I'll be in late Wednesday night, leaving late Sunday afternoon.

Yippee! I'm going to the WFFC.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

The I will definitely have to go

Still have to find a tent so I have a place to sleep in

Edited to add: Still waiting for the preregistration page on freefall.com to open up. Anybody know what the registration price is?

[ThighMan 5]

Edited to add: Still waiting for the preregistration page on freefall.com to open up. Anybody know what the registration price is?

[jfields 0]

I preregistered by phone today. I also preordered some jump tix:

20 regular
1 C-130
1 Helicopter
1 Hi-Altitude

I'm only going to be at the WFFC from Wednesday night to Sunday afternoon, so that should mostly do me. If I need any more or get inspired by specialty aircraft that actually appear, I'll splurge as needed. The neat aircraft will be fun, but I'm really there to get the load organizing and to meet all of you folks.

[WFFC 1]

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Still waiting for the preregistration page on freefall.com to open up.

The Pre-Reg page is now up...Link on the home page of Freefall.com. There's a typo on the High Altitude jump though...should be 23k instead of 12k...

Bluez~~~

-----
~~~Michael

[jfields 0]

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There's a typo on the High Altitude jump though...should be 23k instead of 12k...

Yeah. That had me thinking our usual 13.5 - 14k must be Super High Altitude Jumps.

[WFFC 1]

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That had me thinking

Don't think too hard...You don't want to hurt yourself before the Convention...